International Trade Committee raises questions on staffing and Northern Ireland

Article summary

The International Trade Committee has released its report on UK trade remedies policy, the UK’s plan to protect domestic industry against unfair trade practices and import surges post-Brexit. The Trade Bill, amendments to which are currently being debated in Parliament, would set up a new independent investigatory body called the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) to look into trade remedies cases. The Committee has criticised the low staffing levels of the Trade Remedies Investigations Directorate, the current precursor to the TRA, and has encouraged recruitment, retention and training of TRA staff. The Committee has also asked for further clarification on the position of businesses in Northern Ireland and the extent to which they fall within the TRA’s remit.